Yes, but first-time participants always have priority. Any remaining places are awarded to wait-listed students.

No, you can take only one session a year.

$2,000

No, the bursary is paid directly to the educational institution where you will take your course.

No, it has existed since 1971, previously under the name of the Summer Language Bursary Program (SLBP).

Each participating Explore educational institution has a policy about using the target language. These CMEC-approved policies are provided in writing to students prior to the start of the course. Students who fail to comply with these rules may be asked to leave.

No, you must arrive on the date set by the educational institution.

All participating institutions provide participants with an official certificate. Whether you get credits depends on the educational institution that you will be attending during the following academic year — you should approach that institution directly to ask about credits.

No, all materials are supplied by the educational institution.

Five weeks.

Yes, the institution will administer a post-session test at the end of the course to assess your progress.

You usually take the test when you arrive at the host educational institution.

Yes. You will take a language test before the course starts so that you can be assigned to a group that has the same proficiency level.

Each host educational institution offers its own activities and workshops. Some programs focus on themes, such as radio/communications, drama, or outdoor activities.

No, you have to be old enough before the course starts, unless the educational institution decides otherwise.

No, you have to meet all the requirements by the time the course starts.

Yes, Explore is not a merit-based program.

Each school has its own age requirements. Click on “Where to Explore” for more information.

No.

Some institutions accept students who have not received an Explore bursary. These students are “non-bursary” and must cover their own tuition, course materials, meals, and accommodation.

You are eligible to apply for the program if you are a Canadian citizen or have permanent-resident status (those studying in Canada on student visas are not eligible), have completed grade 11 (secondary 5 in Quebec) or are at the postsecondary level prior to the start of the course, and were enrolled in school full time for at least one semester in the current academic year.

Yes. Click on the link for “Where to send your application?,” which has the fax number for the coordinator of your home province or territory.

No. Faxed or e-mailed applications are not accepted.

No. However, the deadline is sometimes extended. Check our Web site periodically.

Your tax slip is issued by the educational institution where you took the course. Contact the educational institution directly.

A photocopy of your passport, birth certificate, baptismal certificate, or civil-status registration

Ask your guidance counsellor or French teacher. You can also click on the application form.

Go to the student financial assistance office. You can also click on the application form.

The names of successful applicants are randomly drawn by computer, around mid-March.

For privacy reasons, we can’t release any information about applicants.

You’ll receive a letter in early April.

To fill the places of participants who withdraw from the program

No. Transfer is allowed after the draw only in exceptional cases such as illness or bereavement. Any transfer request must be presented to the coordinator of your home province or territory, along with supporting documentation, and is subject to approval by the Council of Ministers of Education, Canada (CMEC).

We do our best to assign participants to the educational institution of their choice, but some participants may be assigned elsewhere if their chosen educational institution is at capacity.

Check their Web site or send them an e-mail, or click on “Where to Explore.”

If you have a disability, require medical care, etc., inform your host institution as soon as you receive the letter informing you of the status of your application.

The educational institutions were chosen for their high-quality programs. The cities were chosen because they offer excellent French-speaking environments.

Ask your host institution about arrival arrangements.

No.

No. Your host institution will let you know what type of accommodation you have been assigned.

You will receive information about accommodation from the institution prior to the start of the course.

Educational institutions offer free activities included in the program. There may be a cost for additional activities. Your institution will inform you of any such costs.

Yes, you have to pay for your travel to and from the location of the program.

No. The fee is payable once your host institution contacts you.

Yes. Your host institution is required to let you know how and on what conditions you can get your deposit refunded.

No.

A $150 registration fee, and possibly a deposit, to your host institution

The deposit covers any damage caused by course participants. The list of institutions requiring a deposit can be found under “Where to Explore?.”

The registration fee (and deposit, if any) are to be paid to the host institution before the course starts, as instructed by the institution.

You can participate in Explore in either spring or summer, which leaves you time to work. Some institutions also offer the Languages at Work program. Call 1-800-267-5173 for more information.

Languages at Work is a Young Canada Works program that offers some Explore participants a summer job at the end of the course. The purpose is to give you an opportunity to speak your second language in a work setting once you have completed Explore.